I’m a sucker for swirly patterns. While the only marbled item I own are some multi-colored vintage graniteware bowls we used for popcorn when I was a kid, marble designs make me swoon. This week, I came across this beautiful linen marbled stripe pillow made by artist Rebecca Atwood, making it this week’s Crush of the Week.

Rebecca created the marble design by using India ink in the suminagashi technique (“sumi” means ink and “nagashi” means floating in Japanese). She scanned the paper design into a computer and elongated the pattern to resemble the water of shoreline ripples at low tide. The resulting pattern is then digitally printed onto linen with water-based pigments.

The pillow is dual sided. Named Marbled Stripe Pillow in Lagoon, a solid marble pattern graces one side, while the other is a silver linen with an applique marble stripe. Measuring 12 by 16 inches, it comes with a 25/75 down feather insert.

Rebecca Atwood Designs is based in Brooklyn, NY where she creates an original collection of table linens, textiles and wallpaper.

This summer, I saw my grandma’s $17 hospital receipt from when she gave birth to my mom in 1938. A lot of things were simpler — and less expensive — back then. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of raising a child born in 2013 to age 18 is $245,340. Between paying for braces, band instruments, sports and all the food that disappears whenever a kid is around, parenting can deliver a hit to your wallet.

Though you don’t want your kiddo’s bedroom to be a boring white box, spending more than you can afford on room decor isn’t an appealing option either. To help ease the load, here are DIY ideas both fresh and familiar for sprucing up your child’s bedroom on a budget. Click HERE for the full story.

This week’s crush is on Albert. My husband has nothing to worry about — Albert is a blocky, modern fabric and wallpaper pattern made by Sister Parish Design. It features teardrop-like shapes in square blocks which alternate in orientation.

The famous 20th-century decorating doyenne’s design archives have been re-imagined by Sister Parish’s granddaughter, Susan Crater, and great-granddaughter, Eliza.

Sister Parish (1910-1994) had an intrepid love for color and pattern and was the first to mix humble materials, like ticking fabric and handmade quilts, into mainstream decor.

She was also a pioneer in advocating American-made products. When she decorated the Kennedy White House living quarters she worked effortlessly to bring in as many local products and artisans. Her family continues the American-made tradition.

Albert, along with many other gush-worthy patterns, is hand colored and screen-printed on to a 50/50 blend of linen and cotton in the USA at Griswold Textile Print in Rhode Island.

Many of the fresh, graphic designs are also available on serving platters, waste bins, tissue box holders and shower curtains, soap dishes, and pillows.

Dining with Albert is possible too, in this set of 8 napkins.

Sister Parish Design’s goods are available through their website as well as selected showrooms and retailers. Sister Parish Design has also recently collaborated with One Kings Lane to create a line of furnishings featuring these fun textiles.

Lucky for me, there’s a retailer in Islesboro, Maine called Apples, which I hope to visit this summer!

It’s not every day you hear a clock described as sexy, but the Mora clock is distinctly shapely. With a curvy, hourglass silhouette, Mora clocks are a Swedish-made treasure and the envy of many. If you’ve been thinking of buying one or just have a crush, click HERE learn more about the history and unique design of the majestic Mora.

I never thought a clothes hamper would make my head turn, but indeed that day has arrived. Made by Pehr Designs, the canvas hamper retails for about $70 and measures 18 inches in diameter by 20 inches high. Available in a boatload of colors and light-hearted patterns, like stripes, pencil lines, and polka dots, it’s my crush of the week.

Persimmon Pencil Lines Hamper by Pehr

If a hamper isn’t high on your list of desires, Pehr makes them in smaller sizes, too.

Because canvas is so sturdy, you can store a lot of different things, like toys, toiletries, towels and scarves, without it flopping over on you.

Pehr Designs was formed in 2010 by childhood friends Jen and Becca in 2010 to create a line of classically simple, yet modern home accessories. They’re based in Canada, but also sell their wares internationally. Click here for Pehr’s list of US distributors.

If it’s possible to have a blanket crush, mine is on the Hudson’s Bay point blanket. A high school friend had a pea coat made out of a Hudson’s Bay point blanket, and I’ve never forgotten about it. Nothing short of awesome, I loved the its heft and candy-colored stripes.

Unfortunately, the coats are no longer made, but the blankets have been in production for centuries. If you love them as much as I do, here are some ways to show off your blanket not just during the winter, but all year long. Hudson’s Bay point blankets make great upholstery and more.

Hudson’s Bay point blanket history

Hudson’s Bay point blankets have been in production since 1670, and were aboard the ship Nonsuch when she sailed to Canada’s Hudson Bay on a speculative voyage for fur trading.

The blankets were desired by Native Americans because they hold heat, even when wet, and were easier to sew than animal skins. They later became a main source of trade. Although the blankets are associated with Canada, they are actually made in England!

Blanket stripes and colors

The blankets are made in solid colors of red/black, green/black, white/black, and a two-tone brown, but the multi-stripe is the most popular. According to Woolrich Inc., holders of the exclusive license for Hudson’s Bay blankets in the U.S., the multi-stripe’s four stripe colors (green, red, yellow and indigo) were chosen because of the quality colorfast dyes available at the time the multi-stripe blanket was introduced, around 1800.

However, for Native Americans these colors had symbolic meaning; “Green is taken to mean ‘new life,’ red often stands for ‘battle’ or ‘hunt,’ yellow relates to ‘harvest’ and ‘sunshine,’ and blue represents ‘water.’”

Points – what do they mean?

“Points” are the thin two or four-inch long black lines woven into the blanket. (You can see them in the top image). They represent a system developed in the 18th century to indicate the finished overall size of the blanket.

Over the centuries the sizes of blankets have changed, particularly during the 20th century as beds became larger. Blankets of 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 and 4 points were most common during the fur trade era. Today, blankets are made in the following bed sizes: 3-1/2 (Twin), 4 (Double), 6 (Queen) and 8 (King).

A twist on tradition: Hudson’s Bay blankets as upholstery

via Sit and Read

Hudson’s Bay point blankets look superb installed as upholstery fabric. The simple, linear lines of mid-century modern furniture, in particular, work well with the stripes of the blanket. This fetching sofa was made by Brooklyn-based Sit and Read.

via Pinterest

via Homestead Seattle

Mid-century modern furniture not your thing? Hudson’s Bay point blankets cover the traditional side of things too, like this demure ottoman.

And this old wicker rocking chair wrapped up in a point blanket couldn’t look cozier.

Pillows!

Hudson’s Bay, the store associated with the Hudson’s Bay Company sells a bunch of point blanket products. One of my favorites is this multi-stripe chevron throw pillow.

Free up countertop space and keep often-used items handy by making your backsplash more resourceful.

Besides having aesthetic value, backsplashes can also be a useful, easy-to-access storage area.
Hanging frequently used items such as knives, utensils and cookware on wall space in front of you rather than hiding them behind cabinets saves time with food prep and also frees up precious counter space. Adding hanging bars, magnetic strips, shelving and even pot-filling faucets can help make the most of your kitchen backsplash.

A good friend recently introduced me to Urban Grace, a delightful shop which just moved into a jazzy new space in downtown DeKalb, Illinois.

Owners Sherrie Larkins and Rachel Polly have an eye for fine finds. They pick up furniture and other goodies at estate sales and such and then work their magic to breath new life into their pieces.

The Urban Grace style is akin to shabby chic, but with an urban angle. Hold the sugar too – their pieces aren’t cloyingly sweet with floral and lace. They’ve collaborated with Nathan Rock of Industrial Artifacts who showcases some of his industrial furniture, fitting in among the mid-century leather suitcases, rolls of Rifle paper, framed antique illustrations and block-print throws.

Urban Grace also sells clay and chalk-based paints by CeCe Caldwells’ Paints, which they also feature on their furniture in an array of cheery colors. The paint is also easy to apply and environmentally friendly, as it’s non-toxic, water-based and made of natural ingredients.